Simultaneous determination of major and trace elements in sepiolites by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

Major (Si, Mg) and trace elements (Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mn, M o, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti, V and Zn) from the dissolved sepiolite samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Powd ered sepiolite samples were dissolved using a clossed-vessel acid leaching method. A geological sample of 0.1g was completely decomposed with a mixtur e of 5ml HNO3 (69%), 3ml of HF (40%) and 1ml HCl (36.5%). The method has be en tested using two different standard reference materials, with reproducib le and accurate results. Relative standard deviations were 3-10% at above 3 mu g g(-1) levels of each element determined.